Anniversary? Who cares?

Now, before you get the idea that Jenny is an uncaring spouse, I should tell you that I was talking about my work anniversary. Last Saturday was the first anniversary of my coming to work at the New Albany Gazette.

But it’s not the first anniversary of me being the publisher of the paper. That comes Aug. 1. You may remember that I was supposed to be a temp, coming in and keeping the paper operating smoothly while a search was conducted for a new publisher.

By last August, I was supposed to be on my way to do the same thing at Los Alamos, N. M., where there was another publisher vacancy.

Fortunately (at least I think so; I hope you do, too), that didn’t happen because the folks who own the paper asked me if I would stay on as publisher, and Jenny and I decided we would like to make our home here.

So, last weekend – on my work anniversary – I was thinking about some of the little things that I really enjoy in New Albany. I even made a list:

• Munching on the bacon cheeseburger at George’s Restaurant. It’s so good I’ve never gotten around to ordering the chicken.

• Driving down Bankhead Street and seeing the cars parked in the middle of the street. It makes the town unique.

• Savoring the pepperoni pizza with garlic white sauce at Vainisi’s. It’s different and special.

• Sitting on a bench at the Park on the River and watching the squirrels and birds going about their daily lives.

• Visiting our public schools, where the educational quality is at a level that discourages the growth of private schools.

• Having the smoked chicken Caesar salad at Union Station, one of my favorite haunts for lunch.

• Attending an event at the Cine Theatre at the Magnolia Civic Center, a venue that is unusual for a town the size of ours.

• Getting an iced tea at McAlister’s and bringing it back to work to ward off my afternoon malaise.

• Strolling around our new neighborhood, where several of our neighbors are out for a morning or late afternoon walk.

• Meeting all of you, who have made the first year here so welcoming. New Albany really does live up to the “friendly” part of the town motto.

As I look at the list, I notice that a lot of it has to do with eating. Looking at my waistline, I guess that should come as no surprise.

There’s really only been one thing that has marred my enjoyment of my first year at the Gazette. That, of course, was the flash flood that inundated the Gazette offices, causing substantial damage to the press and related equipment.

But all of that can be fixed. The mud already is out of the building and we should have new carpet and floor coverings soon. In a few months, it will all just be a bit of history.

It’s been a good year. On to No. 2.

Aren’t anniversaries grand?

T. Wayne Mitchell, publisher of the Gazette, can be reached by phone at 662-534-6321 or by e-mail at publisher@newalbanygazette.com.